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This test consists of 5 short answer questions, 10 short essay questions, and 1 (of 3) essay topics.

Short Answer Questions

1. What does Ben study carefully that is a bit disorienting?

2. Approximately how many volts are in a bolt of lightning?

3. What stories does Ben tell Petra?

4. What does the rabbi say when passengers ask his forgiveness?

5. How is Naomi described as usually being?

Short Essay Questions

1. What does Jakob think about as far as the Nazis' effort to dehumanize the Jews?

2. How does Ben find Jakob's study?

3. What are some facets to Naomi?

4. How does Jakob relate a theory by Einstein to the Holocaust?

5. What does Jakob think about concerning a child?

6. What impact does being in Idhra have on Jakob?

7. What theme does Ben incorporate into his thesis?

8. Describe Jakob's visions of prisoners going to the gas chamber.

9. How does Jakob "win" Naomi's heart?

10. What is Jakob's work in Greece?

Essay Topics

Write an essay for ONE of the following topics:

Essay Topic 1

1. What is foreshadowing? How many incidences of foreshadowing are in "Fugitive Pieces"? How does foreshadowing contribute to a book's suspense?

2. Discuss an example of foreshadow in "Fugitive Pieces" including why you believe it is foreshadow. Include examples from the book and your own life to illustrate your answer.

3. How do you think most people react to uncertainty in their lives? Use examples from "Fugitive Pieces" and your own live to support your opinion.

Essay Topic 2

Choose one of the following to discuss:

1. Choose two significant symbols and trace and analyze their appearance in "Fugitive Pieces". Are these universal symbols? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other symbols that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Michaels chooses the symbols she does?

2. Choose two important metaphors and trace and analyze their appearance in the novel. Are these universal metaphors? Would they be understood in any culture? Are there other metaphors that would portray the same idea? What are they? Why do you think Michaels chooses the metaphors she does?

3. Discuss Michaels's use (or lack ) of literary device (such as foreshadowing, cliffhangers, deux ex machina, etc.), and how they add or detract from the story. Does Michaels use too many or too little literary techniques? State which of the five major elements of fiction the literary device is related to (style, character, plot, setting, theme).

Essay Topic 3

Often, authors will write about "what they know," and sometimes knowing a little about the author makes the books more interesting. Discuss the following:

1. Research and give a brief biographical sketch of Anne Michaels.

2. What in Michaels' background may have helped her in writing "Fugitive Pieces"? What may have influenced the way he depicts various characters and scenes?

3. Do you think there is always some of the author's own life in his/her novels? Why or why not? Give examples.

(see the answer keys)

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